History of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation—Update for the 21st Century

OBJECTIVE: To present a history of the development of peripheral nerve stimulation. METHODS: Narrative literature review. RESULTS: Peripheral nerve stimulation has a history stretching from Scribonius Largus and eels in Mesopotamia to Michael Farady's discovery in London, the German-English physician Julius Althaus's application of electricity to a peripheral nerve, the sensational "Electreat" in the United States, to the application by Wall and Sweet of the gate theory proposed by Melzack and Wall to specialized neurosurgeons. CONCLUSIONS: This is now a modern field in clinical neuroscience and medicine with improved technology, renewed interest by a diverse range of specialties, and accessibility with ultrasound.